Written by a Yahoo Benzo Group member who has a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology with research involving several types of neuroreceptors (adrenegic receptors) and also bioactive peptides that affect neurons.

Please note we are not recommending these in any way.  We are simply providing one person’s expert opinion on the particular hormones, since we get so many inquiries about this topic.

1. Bioidentical hormones (estrogen & progesterone) will interact with benzo receptors. 
2. My firm opinion is that bioidentical hormones are better tolerated and cause fewer problems than non-bioidentical hormones.  However, this only means that the risks might be less, not that there are no risks.  Reference One.
3. “Synthetic” bioidentical hormones work just the same as “natural” bioidentical hormones. The term “natural” is meaningless.
4. The saliva test to determine the amount of hormones in a woman’s body so that a “personalized” cocktail of replacement hormones can be compounded is pretty useless.  Numerous scientific studies have shown very little correlation between the saliva levels and blood levels from the same person. There is a strong circadian rhythm to hormone levels, so depending on the time of day the sample is taken, the amounts can vary a lot.  Of course there are the scam labs that just make up numbers and take your money.  Reference Two.
5. When taking bioidentical hormones, there is a lot of value in having a pharmacist compound the cocktail.  At least in this case the hormones used will have been tested for purity and concentration.  If the cocktail is purchased from an internet site, who knows what you are really getting.

 Reference One 

·     Moskowitz D.

1993 Graduate, National College of Naturopathic Medicine, President, Wellness Designed, LLC, advisor,Women in Balance (www.womeninbalance.org) Correspondence address: 2407 NE 17th Ave, Portland, OR 97212 Email: moskowitzfour@comcast.net.

Numerous forms of estrogens and progestins are utilized for the treatment of menopausal complaints and associated conditions that occur temporally. Although known to be different with respect to molecular structure, receptor affinity, metabolism, and other physiological traits, most have been treated as if they were clinically identical. The majority of these hormone preparations, commonly referred to as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), should perhaps be more aptly referred to as hormone substitution therapy, as most of the therapies utilized do not exactly match those produced in the body. Research indicates these synthetic hormones vary clinically in safety and efficacy. As such, women and their physicians have, in increasing numbers, been opting for the use of bioidentical hormones; i.e., those that match the structure and function of hormones produced in the body. With greater utilization and research surrounding bioidentical hormones, the differences can now begin to be fully assessed and appreciated. This article reviews the disparities between synthetic and bioidentical estrogens and progestins/progesterone with respect to safety and efficacy; special attention is devoted to clinical outcomes in the breast, endometrium, bone, cardiovascular system, and brain. The studies reviewed suggest bioidentical progesterone does not have a negative effect on blood lipids or vasculature as do many synthetic progestins, and may carry less risk with respect to breast cancer incidence. Studies of both bioidentical estrogens and progesterone suggest a reduced risk of blood clots compared to non-bioidentical preparations. Bioidentical hormone preparations have demonstrated effectiveness in addressing menopausal symptoms. The author advocates for continued research on bioidentical hormones and concludes there is currently sufficient evidence to support their preferred use over that of their synthetic cousins.

 Reference Two

·     Boothby LA,

·     Doering PL,

·     Kipersztok S.

Columbus Regional Drug Information Center, Columbus, GA, USA. lisa.boothby@crhs.net

OBJECTIVE: The terms "natural" or "bioidentical" hormone therapy (NHT) are used to describe hormone treatment with individually compounded recipes of certain steroids in various dosage forms, including dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone, testosterone, progesterone, estrone, estradiol, and estriol. Based on the results of a person's salivary hormone levels, the final composition of the compounded dosage form is individualized to that specific person. Proponents claim that NHT is better tolerated than manufactured products. This paper is intended to review the concept of NHT and to determine whether there is sufficient scientific evidence to support its use. DESIGN: A literature search was performed in Medline using the following MeSH terms and key words: drug combinations; progestational hormones; hormone replacement therapy; endometrium; estrogen replacement therapy; climacteric; menopause; estradiol; estrogens; progesterone; drug monitoring; and drug compounding. Current Contents, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Lexis Nexis, Google, Medscape, MD Consult, and clinicaltrials.gov were searched with key words. RESULTS: There are a few observational studies and clinical trials comparing conventional hormone therapy with bioidentical hormone therapy. Studies generally lacked adequate study design, including small sample sizes and comparison of inequivalent doses, to prove safety and efficacy. Little evidence was found to support individualized hormone dosing based upon saliva hormone concentrations. CONCLUSION: Evidence suggests that, although individualized hormonal products may decrease some symptoms of menopause, it seems they have no proven advantage over conventional hormone therapies and their use is not supported by evidence regarding pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy.

Disclaimer:  The information contained in this website was not compiled by a doctor or anyone with medical training. The advice contained herein should not be substituted for the advice of a physician who is well-informed in the subject matter discussed. Before making any decisions about your health or treatment you should always confer with your physician and it is always assumed that you will do so.

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Last updated 21 July 2020